Kellett XR-8
Kellett Autogiro Corporation · United States · first flew 1944 · helicopter
The Kellett XR-8 was a US Army experimental coaxial helicopter of World War II, built to evaluate the contra-rotating rotor system as an alternative to the conventional main-and-tail-rotor configuration.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 1 × piston, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 6.88 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Experimental coaxial helicopter with contra-rotating rotors
- No tail rotor — torque cancelled by coaxial system
- Side-by-side two-seat open cockpit
Identifiable by the stacked contra-rotating rotor system above a compact fuselage with no tail rotor, and the side-by-side open seating arrangement.
Specifications
- The Kellett XR-8 has a length of 6.88 m (23 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12.19 m (40 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 161 km/h (100 mph).
- Typical crew: 2.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Developed from 1944 under a US Army Air Forces contract, the XR-8 demonstrated adequate performance but the coaxial layout offered no compelling advantage over the Sikorsky layout then entering service; testing was brief and the programme lapsed.
Variants
A single XR-8 prototype was built; no production followed.
Where you'll see it
Used only for US Army experimental evaluation; never adopted for operational service.
Related aircraft
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